Cash register



Au 9 1927. 1638275 g w. H. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER v Fil ed June 7. 1923 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1 A

A s- 1927- w. H. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER Filed June 7, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm William H. Robertson FIG.,1 B

"3 w. H. ROBERTSON.

CASH REGISTER Filed June '7, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 w. H. ROBERTSON (IA 5H REGISTER Aug 9,1927. I I 1,638,215

.F'iled June '7, 1923 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Kai wiiliam H. Row-m;

Au 9 1927. 1538275 g w. H. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER V Filed June 7. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet -5 3mm William H. Robertson Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT clerics.

WILLIAM H. ROBERTSON, F DAYTON, 0310, ASSIGNOR, BY ME'S'N-E'A-SSIGNMENTS, 'roq THE NATIONAL CASH nner-swan COMPANY, 01* DAYTON,

0F MARYLAND.

OHIO, A CORPORATION CASH REGISTER.

Application filed l u ne' '2',

rails invention relates to cash registers, and particularly to improvements in the type of machine shown in the Von Pei-n application'for Letters Patentof' the United States, Serial No. 460 882, tiled-April 1-3 An object of: this invention isthe provision of iniiproved indicating mechanism for displaying the items both inthe n front: rear of the machine.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved mechanism for obscuring the indicators from view during the operation of the machine.

\Vith these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts. the essential elements of which are, set forth in appended claims and a pre 11.) ferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter. described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of saidi drawings:- i

1%.; Figs. 1 and 1 taken together constitute a rear e evation of the machine.

Fig a: detail view of a part of the indicator mechanism.

Fig. 3 a detail view of the indicator In elevating cam.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the machine, taken to the right of the totalizer.

Fig. is a detail side elevation of the n'uchanism for operating the common dririnc" shaft.

Fig. 6' is a side elevation of the machanism between the printer plateandthe side frame of the machine; 7 a

Fig. 7 is a detail. rear elevation of apo'r tion of the indicator selecting mechanism.

Fig. 8 a detail view of the indicator aliner cam.

Fig. 9 is ameclianiism.

The embodiment illustrated comprises the usual amount lzeys, means for entering.

amounts in a totalizer and for printing the same. In additiom mechanism is provided 50 for indicating;- the amounts. An obscuring device cover side elevation of the printingthe indication While the machine is being operated.

Referring); especially toFig. 4, the invention sliownin connection with the well known lever key type machine The keys- 1923. Serial N02 643,920;

25, arranged in denominational groups usual, are pivoted on transverse rod 26 carried by the side frames of the machine, and at their rear endsare notched to co operate with a lip on a key coupler 27 and rock it a sutlici'ent distance to permit an arm 28, pivoted on a stud 29, to swing forward und r the lip of the key coupler, in which position the key. coupler is retained until after the printing operation has been completed. The key coupler is provided with trunni'ons 30 having hearings in the side frames 31.

The rear ends the keys are extended to cooperate with pivoted key stops 32 which prevent a simultaneous depression ofa plurality of keys in single denominational groups.

Uprights 33,-connected to the rear ends of thelreys, are provided with notches 3 .2fm" engaging rods carried by a rocker member 36, supported 011 a shaft 37. There is a I'OCliGI memberefor each denominational group of keys 25, and each of the members is operatively connected to its registering segment or totalisier actuator 38: The notches in the uprights 83 are located to transmit amounts of movement to the actuators pr0- portionate to the number of units represent ed by the keys to which the uprights are connected- The totalizer actuators are normally inmesh with gears 39 connect-ed to the item type wheels 40 (Fig: 9) by telescopic sleeves 41, (Fig. 4) to print the items on an i suing receipt which will hereinafter be described. f v

The key couplerQ before referred to, is pivotally mountedin the side frames and rests upon the rear ends of the keys from. H which it receives its movement. The right hand end oft-he key coupler carries a roller (Fig. Siwhich cooperates with a slot in a driving member 4.6 guided on-a stud 4L7 projecting from the frame of the machine.- The driving. member is provided with op posing racks adapted to be thrown into mesh" alternately with a gear on a cam shaft 4-9 to move the shaft in a counterclockwise direction. The engagement of the racks with the gear is controlled by a sp'ringotl a springsdrawn arm 51 n flange 52011 the rack, and a'iiange 53 on'the frame,

operating in the usual manner.

A notched disk" 54. cooperates with a- 55b spring-actuated awl to prevent a retrograde motion of the shaft 49 after it has been moved a certain distance.

Secured to the cam shaft 19 is a cam 56 which engages two rollers 57 carried on a lever 58 which is operatively connected to a totalizer 59 to rock the totalizer on its pivot 60 and engage gears 61 with the actuators 38 to enter the items registered by the item entering keys 25. This totalizer being of such a well known type, a detailed description of the mechanism will not be given here.

The cam shaft 49 (Fig. 6) extends through the right hand side frame and has secured thereto a disk 65. The initial or downward movement .of the item key 25, which has reviously been described, will rotate the disk 65 one hundred and eighty degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. Formed in the disk is a cam groove 66 and a stop shoulder 67 which cooperates with a roller 68 mounted on the upper end of an arm 69 freely mounted on a rod 70 supported in the frame of the machine. A projection 71 on the arm 69 engages with a roller 72 mounted on a lever 73 pinned to a rockable rod 74. A tension spring 75 attached to the lever and to the side frame holds the roller 72 in engagement with the end of the projection 71. As the shaft 49 revolves 180 the arm 69 moves clockwise, raising the end of the projection 71 above the roller 72, allowing the spring 75 to move 1 Y the lever 73 clockwise into engagement with the key coupler trunnion 30 and disengaging a hook-shaped end 76 on the lever 73 from a square pin 77 mounted in a disk 78 secured to a driving shaft 79.

Pinned to the rod 74 (Fig. 4) is an arm 80 carrying a pin 81 which engages a bifurcated end of an arm 82 integral with the arm 28 to prevent the book 76 (Fig. 6) from disengaging from the pin 77 until the arm 28 4;) is moved under the key coupler 27 a sufficient distance to arrest the key coupler until released by mechanism hereinafter described.

In addition to the driving shaft locking means previously described, there is a second locking means which is released by rotation of the shaft 49 through 180. Pivoted on the rod 70 (Fig. 6) and secured to the arm 69 by a stud Set is a three-armed lever 85, with its forwardly extending arm 86 carrying a pin 87 normally engaging a notch 88 formed in a pivoted member 89 supported by a rod 90 secured in the frame of the machine. The arm is held in engagement with the pin 87 by a spring 91 with one end attached to the arm 89 and the other attached to the arm 86. As the shaft 49 revolves, the arm 86 moves clockwise and moves the pin 87 from the notch 88 into a notch 92, where it will be retained until returned to its normal position near the end of the printing operation. WVith the pin 87 in the notch 92 the roller 68 is in engagement with stop shoulder 67. A rearwardly extending arm 93 has a hook 9 formed at its end to engage a plate 95 secured to a cam 96which forms a means of stopping the driving shaft 7 9 at the end of its operation and locking the same against operation until an item key 25 has been depressed, as previously described.

After the printing operation is completed, the key coupler is permitted to return to its normal position, together with the item keys that were depressed. The mechanism for releasing the key coupler comprises a disk 00 (Fig. 6) fast to the drive shaft 79, and provided with a projection 101 adapted to engage a downwardly extending arm 99 of the lever 85. As the disk 100 is nearing the completion of its rotation in a counter clockwise direction, the projection 101will cause the arm 69 to move in a counter-clockwise direction, placing the roller 68 in the groove 66, and through the shaft 74 and arm 80 (Fig. 4) moving the supporting arm 28 in a clockwise direction, thereby permitting the key coupler and keys to return to normal position and to rotate the shaft 49 to operate the transfer mechanism.

The driving shaft 79 may be operated by any suitable power means as well as a mannally operated means, as shown in Fig. 9. Fast to the driving shaft is a gear 102 in mesh with a pinion 103 freely mounted upon a stud 104 (Figs. 1 and 9) and connected to an operating crank 105 by a standard clutch mechanism, well known in the art, but not shown here. As the pinion is only half the size of the gear the operating crank will make two revolutions during each operation of the machine.

A cam groove 106 (Fig. 9) formed in the side of the gear 102 cooperates with a roller 107 carried on an arm 108 freely mounted at one end on a stud 109 supported by a printer frame 110. The forward end of the arm is freely connected by a screw stud 111 to a platen bearing member 112 having a downward rojection bifurcated so that it will be gui ed by the operating crank stud 104:. The platen bearing member moves upward during each operation of the machine to take impressions from the item type wheels 40, the date and consecutive num ber wheels 113, and suitable electwmlates. (not shown) upon a strip 114 which is fed from a supply roll 115. The strip is fed at each operation of the machine by feed rollers 116 and 117 (Fig. 9) which are actuated by a segment arm 118 (Fig. 6) freely mounted upon a rod 119 and having downwardly extending arms carrying rollers 120 and 121 cooperating respectively with cams 96 and 122 secured to the driving shaft 79. T his segment arm engages a gear and ratchet :lli

feeding device 123 which is operatively con nected to the feed rollers, all of which is well known in the art.

The segmentarm 118 has an upwardly extending arm 12 1 having a cam slot 125 cooperating with a roller 126 to actuate the consecutive number type printing wheels ()0 a pinion 135. These pinions areconnected to companion pinion 136 by hubs 137.

ireely mounted upon a rod 138 supported by the irames'ot the machine. The companion pinions 136 mesh with segments 139 which are secured to segments 140 in mesh with gear racks 14.1. The segments are secured to hubs tr el mounted upon a rod 142 and laterally spaced by collars 1 13.

The racks 1.41 are supported at their forward ends by the rod 138 and their rear ing members are moved to a corresponding position. Formed in the upper part of the selecting;- arms 1 15 are notches 147 corresponding in number to the indicator tablets in a group, Cooperating with these notches is an alining' arm 1&3 pinned to a rod 1 19 supported in the frame of the machine. Also pinned to the rod 149 is, a downwardly extending arm 150 (Fig, 6) which is maintained in engagement with the upper end of a lever 151 by a spring 152. The lever is Ituicrumed on a pin 153 supported in the frame of the machine and the lower end of the lever carries a roller 15 1 (Fig. 8) engaging a cam race 155 formed in the side of a gear 156 secured to the driving shaft 79. As the lever 151 is rocked counter-clockwise by the cam it will cause the alining arm 1 18 (Fig. 1) to enter a notch 14:7.

Cooperating with each indicator selecting arm 1 15i an indicator supporting frame consisting of two upright members 160 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured at their lower ends on hubs 161. The left hand hub in Fig. 1 is pinned to the rod 146, The next hub to the right is secured to a sleeve which freely moimted on the rod 146, and the third or right hand hub is freely mounted on the sleeveot the second hub. The upper ends of the upright members are oined by a yoke 163 which also supports the. indicator tablets 164 in their normal position. The upper ends of the members 160 are offset slightly and are provided with radial slots 165uni'tormly spaced and adapted to receive the indicator tablets.

The indicator supporting members are moved into a position corres 'ionding to the actuated position of the indicator selecting arms 14.5 by pairs of arms 166 joined together at their upper ends by pins 167 upon which are freely mounted rollers 168 engaging the sides of openings 169 in the memhers 160. Similar openings 170 in the indicator selecting arms 145 term means for guiding the indicator supportin members to position as the rollers 163 move to the up aer part 01% the openings.

The arms 166 are secured on opposite ends of-sleeves which are freely mounted upon a rod 17? supported at each end by arms 178 which are pinned to rod 1T9 supported by the frame of the machine.

During the operation of the machine tn rod 179 13 rocked by an arn'i 1T1 (Fi 2 pinned to the rod 17 9 at one end and a pit nian172 pivoted on the other end ca a roller 1T3 engaging a cam race 1741 for in the side of a gear 1'75 Which is secured to a shaft 176. The gear is in mesh with the gear 156 and makes one revolution at each operation ot the macl'iine.

After the indicator supporting are moved into adjusted position, the indicator tablets which correspond to the item lzjeys depressed are raised into displaying position. The means for accomplishing this consists ot' a horizontal bar 180 (Figs 1 and 4) extending across the top of the machine and secured to vertical. plates 181 at each end. These plates are guided in their operations by brackets 182 secured to side frames of the machine. Each bracket i provided with vertical openings in which move rollers .18 1 and studs 185 mounted On the plates 181.

The horizontal bar 180 and plates 181 are given a reciprocal motion by links 186 connecting the studs 185 with arms 18? which are integral with par ral gears 188 freely mounted on studs 189 (Fig. 6) supported in the frames ot the machine. These par gears mesh with segment gears 190 which are pinned on a rod 1 1 supported in the.

frames 01' the machine.

The rod 191 is oscillated by a link 192 connecting the segment gear 190 with an members arm 193 freely mounted on the rod 179. This arm is rocked by a pitman 194 carrying a roller 195 engaging a cam 196 secured to the shaft 176 (Fig. 3). The cam is formed so as to move the horizontal bar 180 downward to place the last indicators displayed in their normal position before the indicator supporting members are moved to v the new positions. corresponding to the last item keys depressi-id. After the indicator supporting members assume their new positions the horizontal bar is returned to its upward or normal position, displaying the new indication.

The lower edge of. the horizontal bar 180 (Figs. 1 and 4) has a plurality of slotted openings 200 through which the tops 201 of the indicator tablets 16% pass when rocked by the supporting members. Notches 202 formed on opposite sides of the indicator tablets engage horizontal lugs 263 on the bar 180 to support the indicator tablets in their display position.

The indicators are arranged to be displayed in two groups, one group to be seen from the front of the machine and the other from the rear. The group of indicators shown to the right in Fig. 1, being the center group, are arranged with characters on both sides of the tablets and indicate to both front and rear. The other groups of indicators in Fig. 1 are seen only from the rear of the machine, and their supporting members 204 are moved in unison with their respective supporting members in Fig. 1 by the connection afforded by the rod 146 and telescopic sleeve 162 secured to the hubs of.

the members 160.

The indicators are displayed throu h openings in plates 205 supported by the brackets 182. Upon the operation of an item key 25 the indicators displayed by the last printing operation will be obscured by horizontally moving plates 206 which are pivotally supported on swinging yokes 207 placed at each side of the machine. These yokes are freely mounted on studs 208 secured in the whites 205. The obscuring plates are moved by means of a bifurcated arm 209 (Fig. 1), being integral with the yoke 207, and engaging a pin 210, secured in the upper end of a vertically moving plate 211, which is supported on and guided by studs 212 and 213 (Fig. 6) mounted in the side frame of the machine and in engagement with openings 214 and 215 respectively.

The lower end of the plate 211 is formed with a horizontal projection 216 (Figs. 5 and 6) offset to extend inside the frame and bifurcated to engage the key coupler 27 to raise the plate 211 and move the obscuring plates 206 laterally and close the openings through which the indicators are seen. As the key coupler returns to normal position the obscuring plates will also return to their normal position and permit the new indication to be seen.

Operation.

An amount is registered, printed and indicated on this machine as follows:

Keys corresponding to the amount involved are depressed as usual in this type of machine. This operation causes the amount to be added on the totalizer and set up on the type wheels as usual. In addition this operation of the keys also moves the indicator selecting arms 145 into positions corresponding to the keys depressed.

The movement of the keys raises the key coupler 27 (Fig. 41) permitting the retaining means 28 to move under the key coupler until an operation of the printing mechanism has taken place, the printing mechanism being released by the cam shown in Fig. 6 just as the keys reach their lowermost position. The indicator tablets previously selected and exposed to view are obscured by the plates 206 (Figs. 1* and .1) which are operated from the key coupler through the plate. 211 (Fig. 6).

The printing is performed by operating the mechanism shown in Fig. 9 from the crank handle 105. This lowers the indicator lifting bar 180 at the beginning of the movement of the crank handle by means of the links 186, etc. shown in Fig. 6, operated by the cam shown in Iilg. 3. The indicator selecting arms 145 previously adjusted by the keys are now alined by the aliner 148 (Fig. 4) operated by the mechanism shown at 150, 151, etc. in Fig. 6. Further movement of the crank handle raises the driving pins 167 (Fig. 2) to adjust the indicator supporting frame 160 as determined by the position of the indicator selecting arms 145 (Fig. 4). The indicator tablet which has been positioned below the space between the plates 205 (Fig. 4) is now lifted by the lifter bar 180 in position to be exposed through openings in said plates.

An impression has been taken on the receipt strip 114 by the mechanism shown in Fig. 9. The crank handle is now brought to its home position This releases the key coupler by restoring the interlocking parts shown in Fig. 6 to normal. The key coupler now returns to normal, permitting the plate 211 to lower to move the obscuring plates 206 to the right (Fig. 1 to expose the raised indicator tablets to view.

The parts are now in home position ready to be operated to register, print and indicate another transaction.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, itis to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptihle of embodiment in various forms all coming Within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1'. The combination of a movable tablet indicator supporting carriage, differentially movable means for controlling the movement of said carriage. manipulative means for controlling said differentially movable means, an operating means, means for normally locking said operating means, means for moving said locking means for releasing said operating means afterthe adjustment of said differentially movable means has been effected, and means operated by said operating means for moving said carriage under control of said differentially movable means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a totalizer, a totalizer actuating means, item entering means adapted to operate said actuating means, an oscillating member actuated by said actuating means, indicating elements, indicating elements adjustable supporting means, means cooperating With said oscillating member and said indicating elements supporting means for adjusting said supporting means, and an operating means independent of said item entering means for actuating said adjusting means. i

3. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a totalizer, a totalizer actuate ing said indicating elements supporting means to a position corresponding to that of said second movable means.

at. In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, an actuating means, means intermediate the item entering means and the actuating means for differentially moving said actuating means, an operating device operable only after a partial operation of the item entering means, indicating elements, a movable means supporting said indicating elements, a second movable n'ieansoperated by said actuating means, means operated by said operating de-. vice and cooperating with said second movable means for moving said indicating elements supporting means to a positioncorresponding to that of said second movable means, and'means for locking said second movable member in position While said first movable member is being moved into posi tion.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, an actmediate said rack and said actuating segment adapted to transmit motion from said actuating segment to said rack, and means operated by said operating device and cooperating with said second movable member to differentially position said indicating elements supporting member.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a totalizer, a totalizer actuating means, an item entering means for operating said actuating means, an operating device operable only after a partial operation of the item entering means, indicating elements, a movable means supporting said indicating elements, a second movable means operated by saidactuating means, means operated by said operating device for moving said indicating elements supporting means to a position corresponding to that oi said second movable means. and means operated by said operating device for elevating one of said indicating elements to a display position.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, an actuating means, means intermediate the item entering means and the actuating means for differentially moving said actuating means, an operating device operable after a partial operation of said item entering means, inclicating elements, a pivoted member supporting said indicating elements, a second pivoted member operated by said actuating means, means operated by said operating device and cooperating with said second piv oted member for adjusting said first pivoted member, means for locking said second pivoted member, an'dmeans operated by said operating device for moving one of said indicating elements into indicating position.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a totalizer, a totalizer actuator, item entering means, an operating dc vice operable only after a partial operation of the item entering means, a plurality of indicators, a movable indicator supporting means adapted to be moved into adjusted position by said operating means under control of said totalizer actuator, means oper-' ated by said operating device for raising one of said indicators to a displaying position, and means operated by said item entering means for obscuring the displayed indicator until after the operation of said operating device.

In testimony whereof I affix no signature.

WILLIAM H. ROB. RTSON. 

